Django Unchained Review

      Django Unchained is the most recent spectacle of a film produced by the infamous Quentin Tarantino. As the film's production began, an extremely interesting and diverse wealth of names stepped onto the project, and hype was amassing as fast as a tumbleweed blowing around in a dust storm. This does however beg the question, 'Django' has the attitude, the setting, the actors, and Tarantino at the helm, but can it live up to the insurmountable amount of hype? I give my in-depth review and answer this question after the jump.
     Django Unchained is the story of a freed slave Django (the D is silent) played by Jamie Foxx, and his liberator, Dr. King Schultz, a rather quirky bounty hunter portrayed by Christoph Waltz. The film is set in 1859 Missouri, two years prior to the Civil War which would eventually lead to the abolition of slavery.  The film follows the unlikely duo as they carve out their legacy on the dusty American landscape in search of Django's long lost love.
     The film ultimately takes place at the end of the 'Western' era, which makes for some extremely interesting  situations. Fans of the traditional Western will have their spurs spun satisfyingly in Django for sure, which is clear as the initial credits roll and an Ennio Morricone composition blares (who also did the composition for The Dollars Trilogy, including The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly). The film strides on forward while ever honoring its source material, and in Django there is a lot to like for any film-goer.
     Like Inglorious Basterds before, Django Unchained is a story of revenge. Django seeks out his wife, who he was separated from when they were sold to different plantations. The build up of Django's story is fantastic, and I felt as if it was much more sympathetic than that of the protagonist in Tarantino's previous work Inglorious Basterds. The story in Django Unchained is expertly crafted, and extremely satisfying to watch as a film-goer. The entire one-hundred and sixty-five minute experience drew me in completely, and each next scene is more enjoyable than the previous, building on it and leaving the entire audience anticipating the climax of the film more and more. Like any Tarantino film, the theme of justice and vengeance is extremely well executed, along with a severe amount of bloodshed. Personally this is what I appreciate least in Tarantino's films, although I know this is an aspect which many enjoy. I did feel however as if Django was far more watchable and less excessive than his previous films, and I'm thankful that it seems Mr. Tarantino wishes to focus on plot and character development (both of which are executed fantastically) more so than blood and guts. In my opinion, this got in the way of stronger elements in his past films. While there is Tarantino's signature bloodshed, it's fairly reasonable, and not used overzealously as it has been in past films, in my opinion.
     Of course, all this would mean nothing without the right cast of characters and actors to bring them to life, but thankfully acting talent is in no short supply in Django Unchained. Jamie Foxx plays Django, the leading man, and does it extremely well. Foxx has a certain coolness about him that is exploited perfectly in the film, and it makes watching him 'do his thing' extremely entertaining. Foxx has a calm quietness to him not dissimilar to Clint Eastwood's 'Man With No Name', although Django is a tad more flashy, moving beyond a simple poncho for his vengeful attire. Christoph Waltz as always steals the show, although not in a way that overwhelms the other cast. Waltz truly brings Dr. King Schultz to life, and you begin to question if he truly becomes his character for the duration of the film. While I'd love to gush about his performance, Waltz's performance is something you just have to see for yourself. His performance is on the same plane as his previous work in Inglorious Basterds, and is thankfully extremely enjoyable, as he is truly a character you can root for as the 'good guy'.
     Leonardo DiCaprio of course plays the swanky and elegant proprietor of Candieland, the plantation where the name is the only sweet thing about it. It is fun seeing Hollywood's 'Golden Boy' take on the role of a villian, and do so rather devilishly too. Samuel L. Jackson also plays a role in the film, although I think his role is best left as a surprise.
     What truly brings the film together is it's unique soundtrack, which blends Hip-Hop along with Western inspired themes, which work surprisingly well together. When the music kicks in during the film, you know you're in for a good time.
     Django Unchained stands out as one of the most enjoyable and satisfying films across the board, superb acting, an excellent and engrossing storyline, and one of the most unique and fun soundtracks all year. There's a lot to love in Tarantino's recent film, for fans and non-fans alike. While I personally was never a huge fan of his works, I found myself enjoying the film's extremely smart production and conception, as all aspects come together impressively.